Come Fly with Me 2021! SOAR at South Coast Botanic Garden Highlights the Monarch Butterfly

By Steve Tabor

South Coast Botanic Garden (Garden) has reimagined its SOAR exhibit to highlight the life of monarch butterflies, arguably one of the most recognizable butterflies in the United States. MaryLynn Mack, Chief Operations Officer for the Garden states, “It is important to highlight the monarchs because they are considered to be an ‘indicator species.’ This means that their presence, absence or alteration in their population is an indicator of changes in our environment. Monarchs play a critical role in maintaining nature’s delicate balance.”

Mack stresses, “Monarchs can be ‘the canary in the coal mine’ for our planet. Annual census counts show a dramatic decline in monarch populations. The eastern monarch populations have declined by 80% over the past 20 years. The western monarch’s population has decreased by 99% percent over the past 40 years. The decline in these numbers indicate severe and long-term changes in our environment.”

The key factors in this decline stem from a loss of habitat due to coastal development, changes in land-use and the overuse of pesticides. Habitat loss includes the loss of varieties of milkweed, which not only provides a place for the monarchs to lay their eggs, but milkweed is the primary food source for the monarch caterpillars before they create their chrysalis and transform into their butterfly form. In addition, monarchs have fallen victim to the “one two punch” of pesticides. Not only have pesticides reduced available sources of milkweed, but they have also reduced the number of nectar plants that deliver a food source for the adult monarch butterflies and allow them to collect and deposit the pollen from the plants they visit. Lastly, climate change has caused a variety of environmental issues such as wildfires, severe storms and drought, and other climate issues that have directly impacted their survival in their adult and larvae form.

Their vital role in maintaining an environmental balance stems from the two-way migration pattern, a one-way journey that can be approximately 3,000 miles. Monarchs are the only butterflies to engage in this type of migration. In the fall, they travel from sections of the United States and Canada south to a mountain region in central Mexico. In the spring they leave branches of oyamel fir trees in Mexico and return to the United States and southern Canada.

Monarchs use air currents to conduct their annual migration. According to Sarina Jesper, Director of the endangered species program for the Xerces Society, “Monarchs travel on the air currents to conduct their migration. The monarchs traveling south to Mexico in the fall, for reasons still unknown, can live up to eight months.”

However, monarchs on the northern migration, live an average life span of five to seven weeks. Their reproduction life cycle begins as soon as the butterflies reach warmer climates. The adults lay their eggs on the milkweed which serves as food for the monarch caterpillars. Eventually, they appear from their chrysalis as butterflies and continue the northern migration. As a result, it may take four to five generations to reach their final destinations in the United States and Canada in the spring.

Along their migration route, the monarchs create a ripple effect in our planet’s environment and food chain. By feeding on nectar plants along their migration path, they collect and deposit pollen creating varieties of wildflowers along their migration route. These wildflowers are the primary food source for insects and small birds. It is this continuation of the life cycle initiated by the monarchs which allows some of the smallest creatures on earth to maintain their role in the eco-system and allow for the development and survival of larger members of our eco-system.

In order to share the story of the monarchs, the Garden has transformed the butterfly pavilion and surrounding grounds into a monarch friendly environment. The plants in the exhibit are specially selected to provide an ideal environment for these colorful creatures.

Mack points out, “Our tropical butterfly spring exhibit had a high energy level. The monarchs have more a ‘Zen’ quality and spend much of the time perched on the plants and feeding stations in the exhibit. With 300 to 400 butterflies featured in the exhibit, visitors have many opportunities to watch the butterflies close up for extended periods.”

Due to their near extinction status, western monarchs are not included in the exhibit. In addition, to the monarchs, the exhibit includes butterflies that are mimics to the monarchs, namely Julias and queens. SOAR interpreters and interpretative displays assist visitors with discovering the differences, similarities, and other information about the winged creatures in the exhibit.

Discovery Stations have been incorporated in the Garden providing visitors young and old an opportunity to participate in interactive activities and games.

Mack hopes, “The exhibit will allow visitors to understand the critical role these tiny creatures play in maintaining the balance of nature and inspire visitors to create their own butterfly friendly garden environment.”

Butterfly friendly plants are available for purchase at the Garden’s kiosk in Palm Circle. In addition, the exhibit brochure provides a listing of caterpillar and adult butterfly friendly plants that can be easily incorporated into home flower beds or gardens.

Mack says, “The garden is seeking volunteers to assist with the SOAR exhibit and Discovery Stations as well as to assist with the upcoming GLOW exhibit and participate on the Garden’s Green Team! Interested individuals should contact us by email or by calling the Garden.”

The SOAR exhibit runs through November 30th with visiting times beginning at 8:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Non-members ticket packages are available that include admission to the Garden and SOAR exhibit. Member tickets to SOAR are available for five dollars. The Garden is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA.

The California Connection

A portion of the western monarch population winter in some of California’s coastal communities including Pismo Beach, Ellwood Main (near Goleta), Morro Bay and Pacific Grove. The population peaks in late November through December.

Sources:

Monarch Butterflies Migrate 3,000 Miles- Here’s How by Jason Bittel, nationalgeographic.com

Steve Tabor Bio

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.

Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.